I am gravely concerned at the number of people who are waiting for the county council's social care services.

On March 16, there were 66 people waiting in hospital and 144 waiting in their own homes.

The delays facing people waiting in hospital are bad enough and impose an unnecessary burden on the NHS.

But it is important not to forget the delays facing people waiting at home.

These delays impose a terrible burden on carers. They also put vulnerable older people at risk.

Falls, for example, may lead to sudden deteriorations in health as well as unnecessary use of doctors, ambulances and hospital beds.

So I want to put as much pressure as possible on the Conservative Cabinet at County Hall to provide the care that is needed.

Many of the people waiting are in need of nursing care.

I want to stop the cut in the number of nursing bed placements made each week which was included in both the Tory and the Liberal Democrat budgets for the county council.

Oxfordshire's most vulnerable citizens deserve a better deal from their county council.

I and my colleagues in the Labour group are fighting to ensure they get one.

Barbara Gatehouse (Councillor, Leader, Labour Group Oxfordshire County Counc